The destruction brought by Cyclone Gabrielle has destroyed homes, businesses and infrastructure across the North Island.
The recovery is set to cost billions and in some cases the damage caused will take years to repair and recover.
In the aftermath, millions has been given to the Red Cross. Today the organisation has been working out how to spend the money that's been pouring in over the last three weeks.
Secretary General of the New Zealand Red Cross Sarah Stuart-Black says at least $10 million has been donated to support those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
This week Red Cross has been supplying people in cyclone-hit regions like Hawke's Bay with generators, fuel, VHF radio, satellite phones, bedding, first aid kits, cleanup kits, and dehumidifiers.
The organisation is dividing its support into three categories - response, partnership, and investment.
"To date we've spent over $600,000, just on the needs in the last week," Stuart-Black told Checkpoint.
"What we're really conscious of is not wanting to duplicate efforts, or find we're dealing with issues that actually were last week and not current issues.
"Also making sure there's enough robustness around where this money goes from the generosity of New Zealanders.
"So we're working with others where it makes sense that they already have things up and running."
The cost of having Red Cross people on the ground in the initial days after the cyclone is not being taken from the donated $10 million, Stuart-Black said.
None of the donated money will go to the organisation, but all will go to communities.
